GRAcious symposium is aimed to bring together Israeli and Italian scientists from different disciplines working on grapevine, from its history through physiology to its biotechnology. The grapevine symposium will provide a unique blend of perspectives on the same system of study, which will be an important opportunity of exchange of information, know how and discussion. It will be also followed by tours to the discovery of the ancient origin of grapevine production and wine making in the region, of the modern methods of viticulture in semi-arid to arid areas and of the aroma of boutique-wineries.
Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) have been cultivated and fermented into wine for more than 7,000 years and today are one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops, covering millions of hectares of arable land worldwide. Demand of grape produce has been increasing steadily during the last 15 years, particularly in countries traditionally not associated with large acreages of wine grapes such as Israel. Here, with more than 200 active wineries, both the wine industry and wine tourism are steadily on the upgrade.
French Associates Institute for Agriculture & Biotechnology of Drylands
Jacob Blaustein Inststitute for Desert Research
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Sede Boqer Campus,
84990, ISRAEL
